Linda Darlene (Terry) Robertson, 76, of Willowton, West Virginia fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith, and entered the eternal presence of Jesus on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, with her family surrounding her. Linda was born on October 10, 1947 in Oakvale, West Virginia as the second daughter of Lafayette Hannon and Sybil Jean Terry. From the moment she arrived in that home, she grew into a young woman of integrity, tenacity, and faith—helping her daddy and momma raise her three sisters and four brothers. It was there in that white house on the banks of that small stream where Linda learned the value of hard work and perseverance, unending love and mercy, and a deep foundation rooted in relationship with her Saviour, Jesus Christ. It started with her babysitting her brothers and sisters which would often end (as she so lovingly told the story) with all of them sitting in a corner against the wall until her parents returned home. Her mother taught her how to sew and make clothes for the family, raise and can vegetables from the garden, and wash dishes which was her least favorite chore and often ended up with several pots and pans hidden in the oven.
The most valuable thing growing in the hearts of that family in Oakvale was their legacy of faith. Growing up as a preacher’s daughter, she continued that legacy as a preacher’s wife. On January 2, 1965, Linda Darlene Terry became the bride of Olen Bruce Robertson and thus began a relationship that started from a proposal of “it’s now or never” to a beautiful climax of “until death do us part.” All of those years of listening to her daddy preach the power of Jesus and seeing her momma read the Bible every day in the same chair, at the same table, praying to the same Jesus taught Linda everything she needed to be the perfect pastor’s wife, church’s “First Lady,” and perfect mother for her two children—Melissa and Yvonne. Reverend Olen and Linda Robertson served together in ministry for 32 years, and they were always a team. He couldn’t have made it to the right places at the right times if it weren’t for Linda who kept track of more than his appointments. She could find car keys, his Bible, and sermon notes at a moment’s notice. Their impact as husband-and-wife ministry partners still echoes through the hollers of McDowell County where they served Maybeury, Elkhorn, and Powhatan United Methodist Churches from 1972 until 1987. They continued their ministry journey at Calvary United Methodist and Mount Hope UMC in Clarksburg, WV from 1987 until retirement in 2004. Linda is remembered for her quiet, inviting demeanor and genuine love for the people she served as well as her beautiful alto singing voice that accompanied Olen even when he threw an impromptu song or two on her every now and then.
For most of Linda’s life, she held the precious, often underrated role, of homemaker and mother to her two daughters. She never missed a party at school and walked her girls to the bus stop every morning with curlers and an orange scarf over her hair. For anyone who knew Linda, they will recognize this as a great act of love since she was particular about hair.
As a mother, she was a cheerleader, a role model, a teacher, a counselor, and a friend. As a pastor’s wife, she was adamant on making others feel important. If someone were a frequent visitor at the Robertson’s house for dinner, she kept a note detailing the things they liked and disliked to make sure she set the table with all their favorite food. When her daughters were teenagers, she added another role to her repertoire—dental assistant. She worked for oral surgeons Dr. Oliverio and Dr. Lattanzi in Clarksburg for sixteen years.
Linda was preceded in death by her father Lafayette Terry and her mother Sybil Jean Terry; her sister, Rita Reed: and brother-in-law, Rick Combs. She leaves behind a wealth of people who love and miss her—the love of her life, Rev. Olen Robertson (residing in Harmony at White Oaks)—her children, Melissa (Steve) Hinerman of Clarksburg; Yvonne (Todd) Gauer of Monks Corner, SC—her siblings, Paul (Imogene) Terry of Willowton; Bernice Combs of Princeton; Barbara (Scottie) Kupner of Princeton; Wayne (Janette) Terry of Willowton; Gerald (Valerie) Terry of Elgood; and Vince (Dottie) Terry of Princeton. She also leaves behind her grandchildren—Katie (Erica) Dorshimer of Clairton, PA; Sarah (Robbie) Stevens of Waynesburg, PA; Trey Gauer of Monks Corner, SC; and Madison (Eliseo) Reyes of Phoenix, AZ. Her newest treasure is great grandson, Mateo Reyes of Phoenix, AZ.
Friends will be received at Calvary United Methodist Church, 390 South 22nd Street, Clarksburg, on Saturday, February 24th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the service immediately following visitation at 2:00. Son-in-law, Steve Hinerman and brother, Gerald Terry will preside over the funeral services. Interment will be on Sunday, February 25th, at the Christie Family Cemetery in Willowton, WV. Flowers may be sent to Calvary United Methodist Church on the morning of the services, or in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to two of Linda’s favorite ministries: Samaritan’s Purse or Hatcher Union Church c/o Rebecca Baker 3877 Hall’s Ridge Road, Princeton, WV 24739.Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain tumor that robbed my grandmother of her memory, her cognitive abilities, and communication. It is my desire to help eradicate this terrible disease through research. I have started a fundraising page for my precious grandmother and others like her. Please consider donating. Help us wipe out glioblastoma for good. https://nbtsevents.braintumor.org/fundraiser/5286245. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.perinefunerals.com.
The Robertson family would like to thank Perine Funeral Home for assisting and serving during this difficult time.